Ft. Payne prepares for Alabama fan appreciation concert

Sunday's concert will be Alabama's first in 17 years. (Source: Fan club)

FORT PAYNE, AL (WAFF) -

After 17 years, the musical group Alabama is set to play their first live concert in the city of Fort Payne this weekend.

The event will be held Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of their fan club. Organizers said the band felt it was time to do it again after so many years.

Meanwhile, city officials said they will close portions of roads in front of the fan club early that morning, so people can arrive early. They remind visitors that this is a family-friendly event.

"Hopefully the weather is going to be good and everybody will be well-behaved," said Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum. "Just remember this: Fort Payne is dry on Sunday. There's no alcohol sales and there won't be any alcohol or alcoholic beverages permitted into that site."

Alabama's lead guitarist said he's looking forward to it, and is hoping for good weather as well.

"Hopefully I'll feel dry," laughed Jeff Cook. "I'd rather be a little hot and sweaty than to be rainy and wet. It's not good for the instruments, either."

Police will close portions of the streets in front of the fan club at 7 a.m. Sunday. The concert begins at 2 p.m. It is free to attend, but there will be a collection for donations which will be given to various charities in DeKalb County.